Sorting machine for punched cards



April c. H. STUIVENBERG 05 SORTING MACHINE FOR PUNCHED CARDS Filed Feb. 1, 1933 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 I III] I S Illlll l XXXX XXXXXMMXXXXXXXXXXXXK MXFMK A ril 14, 1936. c. H. STUIVENBERG 'SORTING MACHINE F-OR PUNCHED CARDS FiledFeb. 1,1933 2$heets-Sheet2 Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Cornelis Hendricus Stuivenberg,

Amsterdam,

Netherlands, assign'or to Naamlooze Vennootschap Kamatec, Amsterdam, Netherlands Application February 1, 1933, Serial No. 654,743 In the Netherlands February 5, 1932 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a sorting machine for punched cards of the type described in British Patent No. 295,353 of 1928. In the sorting machine according to this patent by means of an operative feeler member one of a plurality of controlling members which are pivotally attached to a chain adapted to travel with the cards through the machine is guided into one of a plurality of guiding tracks, the lengths of which are such that, on this controlling member coming at the end of the track into contact with a device there provided for opening the respective card side-track, the card will be in front of this compartment and be deflected into the compartment by the opening of the side track. Thus there is a guiding track for each perforation of the card and consequently for each card side track.

The disadvantage of such a device is that if through any cause the pin of the controlling member is not guided properly in front of the opening of the guiding track, the pin may be broken off through the positive motion or at least one of the walls of the track may be damaged.

This disadvantage is overcome according to the invention through the controlling members being independent bodies, such for instance as steel balls, and moving automatically or being moved along in the guiding track at a speed which is proportional to the speed of travel of the card.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic general arrangement of a sorting machine constructed according to the invention,

Figure 2 a front elevation of the control device with the cover-plate removed,

Figure 3 a sectional plan view along the line 3-3 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 a fragmentary View showing a modified form of control device.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a main shaft A which is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and has mounted thereon an eccentric B which at each rotation, by means of a rod C, brings a card a from the card magazine D and places it between the transport rollers E which are driven by a toothed wheel I) mounted on the main shaft A and meshing with the toothed wheel 0. The transport rollers E guide the card a between a feeler roller F and a stationary brush G situated immediately above, by which the feeling operation, to be hereinafter described, takes place. The further movement of the card along the card compartments H, of which only two are shown, takes place through the medium of sets of rollers I driven from themain shaft A through toothed wheels I), d and e, whereby the card is guided in horizontal direction over the guide plates Kattached to the upper ends of the card compartments. It will be understood that any number of compartments H may be provided as required, the sets of transport rollers I being increased accordingly. Each card compartment H is provided with an angle lever M movable by an electro-magnet L, whereby the horizontal arm of said lever, by excitation of the magnet L, is moved so far downwards, that it comes into the path of the cards a and on account of this guides the arriving card in a downward direction so that it falls along the corresponding guiding plate K into the requisite card compartment H.

On the shaft A a sprocket ,f is arranged, which by means of a chain g drives a rotor N, which rotor is electrically connected at h with the feeler roller F. The rotor N is provided with Wipers O which during rotation move over a series of contacts 2' arranged in an insulated arcuate member P, each of said contacts being connected with an electro-magnet l8, only two of which are shown. The number of contacts i and electro-magnets 18 corresponds with the number of perforations which can occur in the card-column which is subjected to the feeling operation.

The transfer of movement of the main shaft A to the feeler roller F and to the rotor N is such that when a perforation corresponding with the cipher 2 in the column is positioned under the brush G then the wiper O is in contact with the second contact 1' in the arcuate member P. In this case a current circuit is closed emanating from thesource of current R, over the brush G, through the perforation in the card on to the roller F, through the connection it to the rotor N, through the wiper O, the second contact 2', the second electro-magnet l8 and from there back to the source of current R.

In order to transfer each feeling operation to the corresponding card compartment H, a control device is provided (see more particularly Figures. 2 and 3) which comprises a base plate I having a series of ribs 2 thereon forming a number of grooves 3 which constitute the guiding tracks for the steel balls 4 and which may be covered at the front side by a plate, for instance, a glass plate. There are twelve of these tracks if the perforated column of the cards has twelve perforations. For the numerical values 0-9, ten are sufficient. The length of these tracks decreases from right to left such that'the length is proportional to the path along which the card must travel from the: feeler arrangement in the machine so as to arrive at the card compartment corresponding to the perforation through which the brush G has come into contact with the feeler roller F. At the lower end of each track 3 is a contact device 5 (only two of these devices are shown) which is closed on a ball 4 sliding past, and operates the controlling magnet L of the side track of the corresponding card compartment H.

At the obliquely cut off upper ends of the tracks 3, laterally of the tracks (see Figure 2), a groove 6 is provided, which is closed at the bottom end and contains the supply of balls 4, which is regularly supplemented from the groove 1, at the lower end of which a continuously turning vane wheel 8 is mounted. To this wheel the balls 4 are conveyed after leaving the guiding tracks 3 by a bar 9 so that they are in this way returned to the groove 6.

The ribs 2 of the guiding tracks 3 contain intermediate pieces I!) which are connected to one another in rows by bars I I. The bars I l are connected at their other ends alternately with the bars l2 and I3. These bars l2 and I3 are arranged parallel to one another and connected together at their ends by springs M which seek to draw them laterally towards one another. The bars are, however, kept apart from one another by rollers 15 which are provided with two diametrically opposed fiat places. The shafts of the rollers l5 are rigidly connected to the bars I6 which latter are pivoted at their other ends to the bar I! which is moved to and fro regularly when the machine is in operation. The movement of the rod H is obtained through the medium of a rod 20 and a: roller 2| actuated by the rotation of a cam 23 arranged on the main shaft A. The roller 2| is maintained in constant contact with the cam 23 by means of a spring 22. In the position shown, all the intermediate pieces I0 connected to the bar l3 extend slightly into the guiding tracks 3 so that they block the crosssectional area of the track to such an extent that a ball 4 is prevented from falling further down while the intermediate pieces Ill connected to the bar l2 leave the cross-sectional area entirely free. When through the motion of the bar I! to the left the two rollers I5 have been turned, the bars l2 and 13 are moved apart in opposition to the action of the springs M to such an extent that the intermediate pieces It! which are connected to the bar l3 allow the ball to fall unimpeded, while the intermediate pieces In connected to the bar l2 prevent the ball falling.

Laterally of the groove 6 (see Figure 3) each guiding track is provided with a relay l8 (only two relays are shown) which, on its armature being attracted, presses the bar I9 which extends through the side wall of the groove 6 against a ball 4, forcing the latter over the inlet opening of the corresponding guiding track 3, so that it falls into this guiding track.

As will be seen from the diagrammatic representation of the relay I8, it is assumed in this constructional example that the transfer of the feeling operation is effected electrically. Mechanical means, as will be hereinafter described, may however be used for this purpose. The essential feature, however, is that as a result of the feeling operation the particular bar 19 which corresponds to the perforation in the column of the card shall in any suitable manner guide a ball 4 into the corresponding guiding track. Under the action of gravity the ball will then fall downwards through the guiding track. It will, however, in each case be arrested by an intermediate piece I0. At each motion of the bar I! the arresting intermediate piece H3 is withdrawn and the following intermediate piece is pushed forward as the compensating member into the guiding track. The motion of the bar I"! takes place in correspondence with the feeling operations of the machine. In the assumed case the length for instance of the second guiding track must correspond to the path through which the card must travel so as to arrive from the feeler arrangement to the second card compartment. At this moment the ball must reach and close the contact device associated with this track, so that the controlling magnet operated thereby will open the corresponding card compartment and the card will be deposited in this compartment.

Instead of utilizing the force of gravity for moving the balls along the guiding tracks, positively acting driving means, for instance, conveyor worms, may be used, one of each of which would have to be provided in each guiding track and which through their rotary motion would cause the balls to move along the path. In this case it is of course not necessary for the tracks to extend in the vertical direction.

Such an arrangement of controlling device ac cording to which the feeling operation is transferred to the particular card compartment mechanically instead of electrically is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

According to this modification, in each of the grooves 3 there is provided a transport screw 24 which is in continuous rotation from the main shaft A through suitable gearing (not shown). By reason of this rotation, a ball 4 pushed into the groove 3 is moved gradually downwards therein. After the ball 4 has travelled over a certain distance, of which the length in proportion to the speed is such that the length of time required for the ball 4 to arrive at this point corresponds to the length of time which the card a requires to come above the corresponding card compartment after leaving the feeler roller F, the said ball presses against the end of an angle lever 25, the other end of which is connected with a rod 26. This rod is connected with an angle lever 21, the horizontal arm of which is moved so far downwards that the arriving card is guided into the corresponding card compartment.

It is not necessary to arrange the guiding tracks next to one another as shown in the drawings. They may just as well be placed in a row one behind the other or quite indiscriminately with respect to one another. It is also not necessary for the guiding tracks to extend in a straight line. A circular track or one formed in any other way might be used.

The examples illustrated show the simplest forms of the device according to the invention. In both these cases the guiding tracks are of different lengths. This is, however, not essential for carrying out the invention, and tracks of the same length may be used provided that for each track the device for opening the associated card compartment is at a place which, in conjunction with the ball speed adopted, is so positioned that the time from the entrance of the ball into the track up to the moment in which the device for opening the card compartment becomes operative is equal to the time which the card requires for passing from the feeler device to the card compartment corresponding to its perforation.

It follows that with tracks of the same length the object of the invention can be realized if the described time regulation is efiected by the employment of different speeds for the travel of the balls in the various tracks.

The arrangement for returning the balls 4 into the groove 6, which consists of the bar 9, the vane wheel 8 and the groove I can be modified in many ways. When some other means instead of gravity is used for conveying the balls, it is for instance possible for the balls when leaving the guiding track to be at a place from which they return under the action of gravity into the groove 6.

What I claim is:

1. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like, comprising in combination, a number of card compartments into which the cards are to be delivered, guide members for deflecting the cards into said compartments, electrically operated feeler means, a number of independent balls, a series of guide tracks corresponding in number to the card compartments, means arranged in the electrical feeler circuit whereby the said balls are automatically and selectively moved into their respective guide tracks by the operation of the electrical feeler circuit, means for controlling the speed of the said balls along the said guide tracks, and means at the end of each track which when engaged by the balls, operates the guide members to deflect the cards into their respective compartments.

2. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like, comprising in combination, a number of card compartments into which the cards are to be delivered, guide members for deflecting the cards into said compartments, electrically operated feeler means, a number of independent balls, a series of guide tracks corresponding in number to the card compartments, contacts arranged in the electric feeler circuit and corresponding in number to the guide tracks, a rotor also arranged in the electric feeler circuit, wipers upon the said rotor which move over the said contacts, an electromagnet at one end of each of the guide tracks and electrically connected to a corresponding contact, a plunger rod on each of the armatures of the said magnets, which plungers move the balls into their respective guide tracks when the feeler-circuit is closed, means for controlling the speed of the said balls along the said guide tracks, and means at the end of each track which when engaged by the balls, operates the guide members to deflect the cards into their respective compartments.

3. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for controlling the speed of the balls along their respective guide tracks comprises a series of intermediate pieces which extend across the said guide tracks and are connected to a common oscillating mechanism, whereby the said intermediate pieces alternately open and close the said tracks so as to impart an intermittent movement to the balls passing therethrough.

4. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for controlling the speed of the balls along their respective guide tracks comprises a series of intermediate pieces which extend across the said guide tracks and are connected to a common oscillating mechanism, whereby the said intermediate pieces alternately open and close the said tracks so as to impart an intermittent movement to the balls passing therethrough.

5. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 1, in which the means provided at the end of each guide track for operating the guide members to deflect the cards into their respective compartments comprises a contact device which is closed on a ball sliding past so as to close an electric circuit which operates the controlling magnet of the guide member of the corresponding card compartment.

6. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 2, in which the means provided at the end of each guide track for operating the guide members to deflect the cards into their respective compartments comprises a contact device which is closed on a ball sliding past so as to close an electric circuit which operates the controlling magnet of the guide member of the corresponding card compartment.

'7. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for controlling the speed of the balls along the said guide tracks comprises a series of helical screws arranged one in each guide track and by the rotation of which a ball is caused to move along gradually until it presses against the end of an angle lever which is connected to a guide member of the card compartment, and by operating same deflects the card into its particular compartment.

8. A sorting machine for punched cards or the like as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for controlling the speed of the balls along the said guide tracks comprises a series of helical screws arranged one in each guide track and by the rotation of which a ball is caused to move along gradually until it presses against the end of an angle lever which is connected to a guide member of the card compartment, and by operating same deflects the card into its particular compartment.

9. In a sheet material controlled sorting device, means responsive to the configuration of each sheet including controlling means comprising a plurality of ball race-ways of different efiective lengths, a return path for said balls, feeding mechanism and means for holding balls in position above said race-ways, selective ball releasing mechanisms for said race-ways, a plurality of ball hold up controllers in said race-ways, ball actuated switching means at the ends of said race- Ways, and sheet discharging means actuated by said controlling means.

10. In a sheet material controlled sorting device, means responsive to the configuration of each sheet including controlling means comprising a plurality of ball race-ways of difierent effective lengths, a return path for said balls, feeding mechanism and means for holding balls in position above said race-ways, selective ball releasing mechanisms for said race-ways, a plurality of ball hold up controllers in said race-ways, ball actuated switching means at the ends of said race-ways, some of said ball hold up controllers at least being common to said several race-ways, and sheet discharging means actuated by said controlling means.

CORNELIS HENDRICUS STUIVENBERG. 

